Approximate Dates for Lotteries, Applications, and Regulations
| Season | Approximate Dates Applications Available | Approximate Lottery Dates | Approximate Dates Regulations Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Light Goose | Early February | N/A | Early February |
| Spring Turkey | Late January | Early March | Early March |
| Moose, Elk, Bighorn Sheep | Early-mid March | Mid-late April | Early-mid April |
| Deer Gun, Muzzleloader, & Youth Deer | Early-mid May | Early-mid July | Early-mid July |
| Fall Turkey | Early-mid June | Late July | Late July |
| Pronghorn (** - If Season is Authorized) | **Late July | **Late August | **Early-mid August |
| Swan | Late July | Late August | Early September in Waterfowl Guide |
| Fishing | N/A | N/A | Early March, every two years |
| Small Game | N/A | N/A | Early-mid August |
| Furbearer | N/A | N/A | Early-mid August |
| Waterfowl | Nonresident apps late May | N/A | Early-mid September |
How The Weighted Lottery Works
What species are covered by the weighted lottery?
First lotteries for deer gun, muzzleloader deer, pronghorn, swan, and spring and fall wild turkey.
How does the one-year grace period affect an applicant's eligibility?
An applicant can miss applying for a year without losing points; however, the applicant loses bonus points by failing to apply for two consecutive years.
How do bonus points accrue in the weighted lottery?
An applicant unsuccessful in drawing his or her first choice permit in the first lottery this year receives a bonus point for next year's lottery. See the following table: (Note that in years 2, 3 and 4, the points are doubled; and, for years 5 and beyond, they are cubed to increase the applicant's chances of drawing a permit.)
| Year | Bonus points | Multiplier | + | Current year's application | = | Total times your application goes in lottery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (year 1) | 0 | - | + | 1 | = | 1 |
| (year 2) | 1 | x 2 | + | 1 | = | 3 |
| (year 3) | 2 | x 2 | + | 1 | = | 5 |
| (year 4) | 3 | x 2 | + | 1 | = | 7 |
| (year 5) | 4 | cubed | + | 1 | = | 65 |
| (year 6) | 5 | cubed | + | 1 | = | 126 |
No. There is no guarantee. The lottery is a random drawing. In most cases when an applicant reaches this point he or she is likely to draw a permit. However, for some licenses, particularly antlered mule deer, where demand for tags vastly exceeds supply, many applicants have the same number of bonus points and thus, even for those with many points, there is considerable competition.
Why do applications ask for a social security number and do I have to give it?
Yes. State law requires social security numbers on all license applications in order for the state to receive human services funding from the federal government.
To keep track of my bonus points in the last few years I used the bonus-point-ID number issued by the department instead of my social security number. How do I keep from losing those points? Contact the department's licensing section and they will make sure to give you those points accrued under the previous number system.
If I receive a permit for my second choice license, do I lose my bonus points?
No, bonus points apply only to first choice in the first lottery.
If I have bonus points and apply with a party, how does this affect me?
On party applications the person with fewest points sets the level for the entire application. Applicants with more bonus points than others in the party have a better chance applying separately.
